Contents

Role of the group

We are a steering committee and aim to identify opportunities for improved collaboration and co-ordination of scientific knowledge, resources and communication in the UK to support policy decisions. Secondly, we aim to drive forward the implementation of the UK Marine Science Strategy. We have developed a Strategic implementation plan 2015 to 2025 (MSCC/SIP/2016)
(PDF, 1.79MB, 49 pages)
outlining the key topics for policy decision-making and implementation of the strategy which is reviewed annually.

Priorities

responding to climate change and its interaction with the marine environment

sustaining and increasing ecosystem benefits

Structure

We are a partnership of government departments, devolved administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, environment agencies and research bodies involved in funding and providing marine science in the UK.

The committee has four cross-cutting strategic areas each with a working group: science alignment, data monitoring and assessment, economic growth, and communication.

Members

Current members are senior representatives of government departments which fund marine science, devolved administrations and the main bodies which fund, provide and use marine science:

Additional members include four non-executive members, an ad hominem appointment and a marine industries representative:

Professor Mike Elliott: Director of the Institute of Estuarine & Coastal Studies and Professor of Estuarine and Coastal Sciences at the University of Hull, UK - appointed as Non-Executive Member of the MSCC on 1 July 2014

Dr Mark James: Operations Director of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland - appointed as Non-Executive Member of the MSCC on 1 July 2014

Professor Michel J Kaiser: Professor of Marine Conservation Ecology at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Member of the Board of Seafish, and an independent Member of the Board of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee - appointed as Non-Executive Member of the MSCC on 1 July 2014

Dr Tavis Potts: Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Aberdeen - appointed as Non-Executive Member of the MSCC on 1 July 2014

Ministerial Marine Science Group

This group oversees the work of the MSCC, and reports on how the MSCC is carrying out the UK Marine Science Strategy. Chaired by the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Defra, the group is made up of ministers from the following devolved administrations and UK government departments:

SCIENCE ALIGNMENT

Science Alignment Working Group

Overviews the alignment of scientific effort across MSCC members in areas of high impact, and assesses the related capacity and capability to deliver robust and impartial scientific evidence suitable for policy purposes. Members are funders, policymakers, Government agencies and marine science professionals.

DATA MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT

Marine Assessment and Reporting Group

Provides overall direction to UK marine monitoring programmes. It defines monitoring programmes for the assessment and management of the marine environment, and oversees implementation of the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy. It has overseen production of Charting Progress 2. It’s a comprehensive assessment of the state of UK seas, and development of the UK’s targets, indicators and monitoring programme under the EU marine strategy framework directive.

Marine Research Vessels Group

Assesses the UK marine science fleet: 7 marine research vessels over 50 metres in length owned and/or operated by the Natural Environment Research Council, government departments, devolved administrations and academic institutions. Looks at the fleet capabilities and capacity and coordinate efficient and effective operation. We investigate the potential for new technologies, exchange of ship programme information and joint procurement. Members are representatives from UK government organisations.
The following publications from the group are available:

UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy Evidence Groups

The Marine Assessment and Reporting Group oversees and coordinates the activities of the four UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS) evidence groups which bring together managers and experts from the different marine monitoring organisations in the UK:

Clean and Safe Seas Evidence Group

Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group

Productive Seas Evidence Group

Ocean Processes Evidence Group

Underwater Sound Forum

The Underwater Sound Forum is made up of representatives of the key stakeholders within the UK marine and maritime community (government, academic, NGO and industry) that have an interest in how the UK manages the issue of underwater sound in the science, technology, policy and legal areas.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Marine Industries Liaison Group

Provides advice and guidance on matters relating to the marine and marine science industries. The group is mainly concerned with cross-cutting strategic issues. Commissioned a review of UK public and private sector marine science and evidence needs to identify the capability of the public and private sectors and opportunities for the growth of marine industries. More information can be found in the Marine science and private sector report
(PDF, 1.71MB, 97 pages)
. Group members are representatives from the main marine and maritime industry sectors.

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